LPA Property Forum: Planning, Legal and Market Insights Shaping Marbella’s Future

The LPA Real Estate Breakfast has firmly established itself as a key forum for the property industry in Marbella. DM Properties Knight Frank recently took part in the latest edition of the event, held on 27 and 28 May at Aloha Golf Club. Organised by Leading Property Agents (LPA), the breakfast has become a key event in the calendar for property professionals on the Costa del Sol. DM Properties is proud to serve as a member of LPA’s Executive Committee.

This year’s event, structured over two days — one in Spanish and one in English — explored the key trends and developments that will shape the future of Marbella’s property market and surrounding areas. The 2025 edition stood out for its strong institutional presence, with Marbella Mayor Ángeles Muñoz, senior members of the Town Planning Department and leading legal, tax and property experts in attendance.

Mariano Beristain, Managing Partner of DM Properties, took part alongside other premium real estate experts as a panellist in the round table discussion on the current state of the market, offering strategic insights into the evolution of the luxury property segment in Marbella.

Urban planning: the new PGOM — a milestone for Marbella

One of the most eagerly anticipated sessions focused on Urban Planning and Territorial Development. The confirmation that Marbella’s new General Urban Plan (PGOM) will be approved this June marks a turning point for the city’s future growth.

The panel, comprising members of Marbella’s Town Planning Department, confirmed that all 65 required sector reports have now been secured, with favourable outcomes. Key highlights of the new plan include:

•  Recognition of the city’s current urban reality and correction of historic planning discrepancies
• Addition of a further three million square metres of urban land
• Potential to allocate rural land for tourism, healthcare, education and sporting projects
• Processes to support the legalisation of irregular properties, enhancing legal certainty
• Streamlined licensing procedures through the use of certification bodies and an expanded citizen support service

The Mayor emphasised that this new planning framework will provide a major boost to sustainable and orderly development in Marbella, further enhancing the city’s appeal to international investors.

Housing Law: uncertainty and reassurance for the sector

Another key topic discussed was the proposed additional tax on property purchases by non-EU residents, recently announced by the Spanish Government. The Mayor expressed her serious concerns about this measure, warning that it could seriously impact markets such as Marbella, which are highly dependent on foreign investment.

However, she also offered a note of reassurance, reminding attendees that the proposal still faces a lengthy parliamentary process and is considered unlikely to be approved in its current form.

Tourist rentals: a shifting regulatory landscape

The evolving regulation of tourist rentals was also a central theme of discussion. Under recent legislative reforms, explicit approval from the community of property owners is now required to obtain new tourist rental licences. In addition, from July, registration in a new national register will become mandatory.

This new framework is creating uncertainty within the market and is already impacting transaction volumes in areas where tourist rental potential is a key factor in purchase decisions.

During the forum, there was a proposal for the LPA to draft a sector-wide position paper to help clarify the current situation and to advocate for a balanced and transparent regulatory approach.

Professional standards and best practice

The programme also addressed other key industry topics, including employment law, human resource management, and best practice standards. LPA is actively promoting professionalisation and greater regulatory compliance across these areas of the real estate industry.

Marbella: a market in transformation

Once again, the LPA Real Estate Breakfast reinforced its value as a space for strategic reflection within the property industry. The strong institutional participation and high level of debate further cement its position as a flagship industry event.

As an Executive Committee member of LPA, DM Properties Knight Frank remains fully committed to supporting initiatives that promote transparency, professional standards, and a forward-looking vision for the Marbella property market.

In an environment of urban transformation, regulatory change and strong international demand, Marbella continues to establish itself as a leading destination for discerning high-net-worth buyers and investors. For property professionals, the challenge is to continue contributing to this evolution with the highest standards of excellence.

Pia Arrieta, 30 May 2025 - featured - News